Louvered structure



NOV- 5, 1966 c. M. sHAPlRo 3,284,951

LouvERED STRUCTURE Filed oct. 5o, 1965 .j'za-w? @21g y 5:5922

/ n mf@ 5@ INVENTOR United States Patent Oice 3,284,95 l Patented Nov. 15, 1966 My present invention relates generally to a louvered structure comprised of a plurality of elongated slats or louvers which are rotatable or tiltable ibetween an open position and a closed position, and more particularly to a louvered st-ructure adapted for use in connection with shutters, room dividers, window frames, lamp shades, and the like.

It is an object of my present invention to provide `a louvered structure wherein a group of louvers thereof are operatively interconnected so that tilting of one louver will effect corresponding conjoint tilting of the other louvers of the interconnected group.

It is another object -of my present invention to provide a louvered structure comprised of more than one group of louvers wherein the louvers of one group are tiltable -independently of the louvers of another group.

It is another object of my present invention to provide a louvered structure wherein the tilt actuating means interconnecting a group of louvers is concealed.

It is a further object of my present invention to provide a louvered structure wherein the louvers thereof may be installed and removed individually.

It .is a still further object of my present invention to provide a louvered structure wherein the louvers are mounted in side members which facilitate assembly of the structure within a support frame and which minimize the number of mounting holes that must be formed in the support frame.

Now in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and using louvered structures in accordance with the principles of my present invention, I shall describe in connection w-ith the accompanying drawing a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the louvered structure of my present invent-ion incorporated in a support frame, with the louvered structure and frame being foreshortened both vertically and horizontally for the sake of illustration;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially along the line 2-2 in FIGURE 1, look-ing in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially along the line 3 3 in FIGURE 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view, taken substantially along the line 4 4 in FIGURE 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring now to FIGURE l, there is indicated generally by the reference numeral a vertical rectangular support frame, which has been fores-hortened both vertically and horizontally for the sake of illustration, and which is comprised of a top frame element 12, a bottom frame element 14, and side frame elements 16 `and 18.

Mounted within the frame 10 is the louvered structure of my present invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. The louvered structure 20 comprises a pair of laterally spaced vertical side support members 22 and 24 preferably in the form of generally U-shaped channel members. As shown in FIGURE 4, the channel member 22 has a bight or wall portion 26 and side flange portions 28 and 30; correspondingly, the channel member 24 has a bight or wall portion 32 and side ange portion-s 34 and 36. As illustrated in FIGURE l, the channel members 22 and 24 are suitably secured, for

example adjacent their upper and lower-ends by means of screws 38 Iand 40 respectively, to the inner faces of the side frame elements 16 and 18, with the bight portions 26 and 32 of the channel members 22 and 24 being arranged in parallel facing relation.

As shown in FIGURE 2, a plurality of C-shaped arcuate slots 42 are formed in the bight portion 26 of` the channel member 22 and are spaced lengthwise therealong. In addition, a plurality of apertures 44 are formed in the bight portion 26 of the channel member 22, with the axes of the apertures 44 coinciding with the centers of the radius -of curvature of the arcuate slots 42.

As shown in FIGURE 3, a plurality of slots 46 are formed in the bight portion 32 of the channel member 24. The slots 46 are spaced lengthwise along the channel member 24 and are inclined relative to the lengthwise axis of the latter. The lower ends `of the inclined slots 46 are aligned substantially with the apertures 44 in the channel member 22, and the upper ends of the inclined slots 46 extend into the adjacent side lange portion 36 of the channel member 24.

Associated with the channel member 22, `as best shown in FIGURES 1 `and 2, are a pair of tilt actuating members, indicated generally by the reference numerals 48a and 48h, arranged one above the other and each comprised 4of an elongated relatively thin body portion 50 disposed within the contines of the channel member 22 generally parallel to the side flange portions 28 and 30'. The tilt actuating memrbers 48a and 48b also have finger portions 52, which extend substantially perpendicularly from the edges of the lbody portions 50, and which project through the arcuate slots 42 in the direction of the channel member 24. For purposes to be explained more fully hereinafter, the body portions 50A of the tilt actuating members 48a and 48b preferably have a width substantially equal to the inner width of the side flange portions 28 and 30 of the channel member 22, and the body portions 50 intermediate of the nger portions 52 preferably are offset from the plane of the trigger portions 52.

Disposed within the contines of the channel member 24 is an elongated relatively thin resilient retaining member 54 which has a width substantially equal to the distance between the side Harige portions 34 and 36 of the channel member 24. Suitably formed in the retaining member 54 vare a plurality of apertures 56 which are aligned substantially with the lower ends of the inclined slots 46 in the channel member 24. The resilient retaining member -54 is normally held or biased against the inner face of the bight portion 32 of the channel member 24 by the bent over upper and lower ends 57 and 58 of the retaining member 54.

Extending between and supported by the channel members 22 and 24 are a plurality of elongated louvers, six of which are shown by way of illustration and identified by reference numerals 60a-f. Each of the louvers 6001-1 has pivot pins i62 and 64 projecting from the Opposite ends thereof on a common axis. Also, each of the louvers 60a-f has an aperture 66 formed in the end thereof adjacent the pivot pin 62 and parallel to the axis of the latter. As illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, the pivot pins 62 at the one ends of the louvers 60a-f are normally disposed in the apertures 44 in the bight portion 26 of the channel member 22, with the apertures 66 in the ends of theupper three louvers 60a-c receiving the .finger portions 52 of the tilt actuating member 48a, and with the apertures 66 in the ends of the lower three louvers 60d-f receiving the finger portions 52 of the tilt actuating member 48h. The pivot pins 64 at the other ends of the slats 60e-f are normally Ireceived in the slots 46 of the channel member 24 and in the aperture 56 of the retaining member 54.

By reason of the described arrangement, the upper group of louvers `60ct-c are operatively interconnected by the tilt actuating member 48a, and the lower group of louvers 60d-f are operatively interconnected by the tilt actuating member 48h. Accordingly, when one of the louvers 60a-c, for example louver 60a, is manually grasped and tilted about the axis of its pivot pins 62 and 64, the other louvers 60b-c are tilted about the axes of their pivot pins 62 and 64. Similarly, when one of the louvers 60d-f, for example louver fld, is manually grasped and tilted about the axis of its pivot pins 62 and 64, the other louvers 60e-f are tilted about the axes of their pivot pins 62 and 64. Each group of louvers 6fm-c and 60d-f may thus be tilted between open and closed positions independently of the other group of louvers. In the drawing, the louvers 6fm-c are shown in a horizontal open position and the louvers 60d-f are shown in a substantially vertical closed position. The vertical distance between the axes of tilting of the louvers 60er-f is so arranged that the adjacent horizontal edges of the lovers in closed position are disposed in overlapping relation. If desired, transverse spacer members 70 and 72 may be mounted against the inner faces of the top and bottom frame elements 12 and 14 respectively to fully close the frame when the louvers 60e-f are in closed position.

My described louver struct-ure also permits the louvers 60er-f to be removed individually for cleaning, repair or replacement. To remove one of the louvers Gila-f, for example louver 60d, the end of a pencil, rod or the like is inserted through the adjacent slot 46 in the -channel member 24 and pressed against the retaining member 54 for urging the latter away from ythe bight portion 32 -to the position shown in dot-dash lines in FIGURE 1, so as to effect disengagement between the pivot pin 64 of the louver 60d and the adjacent aperture 56. The right end of the louver 60d, as viewed in FIGURE 1, is then grasped and pulled upwardly to withdraw the pivot pin l64 through the slot 46, an intermediate position of withdrawal being shown in dot-dash lines in FIGURE 3. After the pivot pin 64 of the louver 60d has been fully withdrawn from the slot 46, as shown in dot-dash lines in FIGURE 4, the louver 60d is moved to the right as viewed in FIGURE 4 thereby withdrawing the pivot pin 62 from the aperture 44 in the channel member 22 and effecting disengagement between the finger `52 of the tilt actuating member 48b and the aperture 66 in the end Iof the louver 60d. The louver 60d may be re-mounted in position by inserting the pivot pin 62 in the aperture 44 of the channel member 22 with the finger 52 of the tilt actuating member 48b being aligned with and disposed in the aperture 66 in the end of the louver 60d. Then the retaining member 54 is urged to the position shown in dot-dash lines in FIGURE 4 and the pivot pin 64 is moved into and through the slot 46 until snap interengagement is effected between the pin 64 and the aperture 56 of the retaining member 54.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention disclosed herein, the body portions 50 of the tilt actuating members 48a and 48b have a width substantially equal tothe inner width of they side flange portions 28 and 30 of the channel member 22 so as to minimize free movement of the actuating members within the channel member 22 when all of the louversl 60a-f have been removed and thereby prevent the finger portions 52 from slipping to an inaccessible position within the confines of the channel member 22. The body portions 50 of the tilt actuating members 48a and 4812 intermediate of the finger portions 52 are offset as shown in FIGURE 2, to accommodate the pivot pins `62 whenever the louvers 60a-f are tilted toward and approach the closed position whereby to permit full closure thereof.

Although I have shown the two groups of louvers 64M-c and 60d-f as being independently tiltable, it will be understood that the actuating members 48a and 48th may be formed as one continuous member should it be desired to actuate all of the louvers 60a-f conjointly. Conversely, the louver structure 20 may be arranged with more than two independently tiltable groups of louvers. It will be appreciated also that the number of louvers within each group may be varied to meet differing conditions of use. In any case, as will be observed from the drawing, the tilt actuating member or members interconnecting the louvers are concealed when the slats are in mounted position. In the fabrication of parts for my louver structure, various materials may be employed. By way of illustration, and not limitation, the channel members 22 and 24, the actuating members 48a and 48b, and the retaining member 54 may be fabricated of metal, and the louvers 60a-f of wood. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that other forms of biasing means, such as compression springs, rubber grommets, or the like, may be substituted for the bent-over ends 57 and '58 of the retaining member 54, in which event the latter need not necessarily be resilient.

The above-described louver structure of my present invention has |many different applications. For example, it may be incorporated in a window frame. In this application, if the lower section of the window is opened, the lower group of louvers may be tilted to open position to permit ingress of air while the upper group of louvers are maintained in a closed position to obstruct passage of light. My louver structure :may also be incorporated with the frame of a shutter or a room divider, and additionally may be used to define one or more sides-of a lamp shade. In the latter application, the light from the lamp, through suitable adjustment of the groups of louvers, may be directed and reflected in a Varying number of paths thereby permitting individualized control of illumination. Still further, in any application louvers of one color may be interchanged at will for louvers of another col-or to gain differing aesthetic appearances. It is also to be noted that by mounting the pivot pins of the louvers in channel members, rather than directly in the side frame elements, assembly and alignment of the louver structure within a support frame is facilitated and the number of mounting holes that must be formed in the support frame is minimized. Finally, although the louver structure 20 and associated frame 10 have been shown and described in a vertical position, it is to be understood that they may be arranged in an inclined position or even in a horizontal position. Also, the louver-s 6fm-f may be arranged .for rotation on vertical axes rather than horizontal axes as shown.

While I have shown and described what I believe to be preferred embodiment of my present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my inven- |tion.

I claim:

ll. A louver structure lcomprising a pair of support members, one of said support members having a plurality of apertures formed therein, the other of said support members having a plurality of slots formed therein, a retaining member disposed adjacent said other support member, said retaining member having apertures formed therein, a plurality of elongated louvers extending between said support members, each of said louvers having pivoting means at the one ends of said louvers being receivable in said apertures in said one support member, said pivoting means at the other ends of said louvers being receivable in salt slots in said other support fmember and in said apertures in said retaining member, and said retaining member being movable away from said other support member for disengaging at least one of the apertures therein from the adjacent pivoting means whereby the latter may be withdrawn through said slot in said other support member so as to permit removal of the associated louver from its mounted position between said members.

2. A louver structure comprising a pair of support members, one of said support members having a plurality of arcuate slots and a plurality of apertures formed therein, the other of said support members having a plurality of slots formed therein, a tilt actuating member disposed adjacent said one support member, said actuating member having finger portions projecting through said arcuate slots in the direction of said other support member, a retaining member disposed adjacent said other support member, said retaining member having apertures formed therein, a plurality of elongated louvers extending between said support members, each of said louvers having pivoting means at the opposite ends thereof and having an aperture in one end thereof, said pivoting means at the one ends of said louvers being receivable in said apertures in said one support member with said adjacent apertures in said one ends of said louvers receiving said finger portions of said actuating member whereby said louvers are operatively interconnected by the latter, said pivoting means at the other ends of said louvers being receivable in said slots in said other support member and in said apertures in said retaining member, said actuating member upon tilting of one of said louvers on its pivoting means serving to effect conjoint tilting of the other of said louvers on their pivoting means, and said retaining member being movable away from said other support member for disengaging at least one of the apertures therein from the adjacent pivoting means whereby the latter may be withdrawn through said slot in said other support member so as to per-mit removal of the associated louver from its mounted position between said support members.

3. A louver structure comprising a pair of [laterally spaced support members having -wall portions arranged in parallel facing relation, one of said support members having a plurality of lengthwise spaced slots formed in said wall portion thereof and inclined relative to the lengthwise axis of said one support member, a retaining mem-ber disposed adjacent said wall portion of said one support member, said retaining member having apertures formed therein which are aligned substantially with the lower ends of said inclined slots in said one support member, a plurality of elongated louvers extending between said support members, each of said llouvers having pivot pins projecting 'from the opposite ends thereof lon a common axis and having lan aperture in one end thereof, said pivotfpins at the one ends of said l louvers being receivable in said other support member, said pivot pins at the other ends of said louvers being receivable in said slots i-n said one support member and in said apertures in said retaining member, and said -retaining member being movable away from said wall portion of said one support member for disengaging at least one of the apertures therein from the adjacent pivot pin whereby the latter may be withdrawn upwardly through said slot in said -wall portion of sai-d one support member so as to permit removal of the associated louver from its normal mounted position -between said support members.

4. A louver structure comprising a pair of laterally spaced support members having wall portions arranged in parallel facing relation, one of said support members having a plurality of arcuate slots rformed in said wall portion thereof and spaced Ilengthwise tberealong, said one support member having la plurality of apertures formed in said wall portion there-of with the axes of said Iapertures coinciding with the centers of the radius of curvature of said arcuate slots, the other of said support members having a -plurality of lengthwise spaced slots formed in said wall portion thereof and inclined relative to the lengthwise axis of said other support member, the lower ends of said inclined slots Ibeing aligned substantially with said apertures in said one support member, a tilt actuating member having a body portion disposed adjacent s'aid wall porti-on of said one support member, said Iactuating member having iin-ger .portions extending Ifrom said body portion and projecting through said arcuate slots in the direction olf said other support member, .an elongated retaining member disposed adjacent said wall portion of said other support member, said retaining memfber having apertures formed therein which are `aligned substantially with the lower ends of said inclined slots in said other support member, a plurality of elongated louvers extending between said support members, each of said louvers having pivot pins projecting from the opposite ends thereof on a common axis and having an aperture in one end thereof, said pivot pins at the one ends of said louve-rs being receivable in said apertures in said wall portion of said one support member with said adjacent apertures in said one ends of said louvers receiving said linger portions olf said yactuating member whereby said louvers are operatively interconnected by the latter, said pivot pins at the other ends of said louvers being receivable in said slots in said other support member and in said apertures lin said retaining member, said actuating member upon tilting of one of said louvers on its pivot pins serving to effect corresponding conjoi-nt tilting of the other of said louvers on their pivot pins, and said retaining member being movable away from said wall portion of said other support member for disengaging at least one of the Iapertures therein 'from .the adjacent Ipivot pin whereby the latter may be withdrawn upwardly through said slot in said wall portion of said other support member so as to permit removal of the associated louver .from its normal :mounted position between said support members.

5. A louver structure comprising a pair of laterally spaced support members one of which is `a generally U- shaped channel member having a bight portion and side flange portions, said channel member having a plurality of lengthwise spaced slots .formed in said bight portion thereof and inclined relative to the lengthwise axis of said channel member, the upper ends of said inclined slots extending into the adjacent side flange portion of said 4channel member, a retaining member disposed within the confines of said channel member Iand extending width-wise between said side flange portions of said channel member, sai-d retaining member having apertures formed therein which are aligned substantially with the llower ends of said inclined slots in said channel member, said retaining member normally lying closely adjacent said bight portion of said channel member, :a plurality of elongated louvers extending lbetween said support members, each of said louvers having pivot pins projecting from the `opposite ends thereof on a common axis, said pivot pins at the one ends of said louvers being receivable in the other of said support members, said pivot pins at the other ends of said louvers being receivable in said slots in said channel member and in said apertures in .said retaining member, and said retaining member being movable away from said bight portion of said channel mem-ber for disengaging at least one of the apertures therein from the adjacent pivot pin whereby the latter may .be withdrawn upwardly through said slot in said .bight portion of said channel member so as to permit removal of the associated louver lfrom its normal mounted position between said support members.

6. A ,louver structure comprising la pair of laterally spaced generally U-shaped channel members, each of said channel members having a bight portion and side flange portions, said lbight portions of said channel members being yarranged in parallel facing relation, one of said channel members having a plurality o-f C-sha-ped arcuate slots formed in said bight portion thereof and spaced lengthwise therealong, said one channel member having la plurality of apertures Iformed in said bight portion thereof With the axes of said apertures coinciding with the ycenters of the radi-us of curvature of said arcuate slots, the other of sai-d channel members lhaving a plurality of lengthwise-spaced slots formed in said :bight portion thereof and inclined relative to the lengthwise axis of said other channel member, the lower ends of said inclined slots being aligned substantially with said apertures in said one channel member and the upper ends of said `inclined slots extending into .the adjacent side flange portion of said other clhannel member, a tilt actuating member having an elongated relatively thin body portion disposed within the contines of said one channel member generally parallel to said side ange portions, said actuating member having linger portions extending substantially perpendicularly from the edge of said body porti-on and projecting through said arcuate slots, an elongated rela tively thin resilient retaining member disposed within the confines of said other channel member and extending width-Wise between said side ange portions of said other channel member, said-retaining member having apertures formed therein which are .aligned substantially with the lower ends off said inclined sl-ots i-n said other channel member, said retaining member normally lying closely adjacent said .bight portion olf said other channel member, a plurality of elongated 'louvers extending between said channel members, each of said louvers having pivot pins projecting ffrom the opposite ends thereof on a common axis and having an aperture in one end thereof, said pivot pin at the one endsof said louvers being receivable in said apertures in said bight portion of said one channel Imember with said adjacent lapertures in said one ends off said louvers receiving said iinger por-tions of said actuating member whereby said louvers are operatively interconnected |by tfhe latter, said pivot pins at the other ends of said louvers being receivable in said slots -in said other channel member and in said apertures in said retaining member, said actuating member upon tilting olf one of said louvers on its pivot `pins serving to effect corresponding conjoint tilting of the other of said louvers on their pivot pins, and said retaining member being movableaway [from said :bight portion of said bight portion of said other channel member lfor disengaging at least one of the apertures therein from the adjacent pivot pin whereby the latter may be withdrawn upwardly through said slot in said Ibight portion of said other channel member so as to permit removal of the associated louver from its normal mounted position between said channel members. t

7. The louver structure of claim 6 wherein said body yportion of said actuating member has a width substantially equal .to the inner width of said side flange portions of said one channel member.

8. The louver struct-ure of claim 6 wherein said body portion of said actuating member intermediate of said linger portions is oiset :from the plane of said lin-ger portion to accommodate said pivot pins whereby to permit full closure of said louvers.

9. The louver structure of claim 6 wherein said retaining member has a Width substantially equal t-oy the distance between said side ange portions of said other channel member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 368,808 8/ 1887 Cahill 20-62 546,845 9/ 1895 Fuller 20-62 708,618 9/ 1902 Briggs 20-62 1,763,837 6/1930 Vernet 189-62 1,871,685 8/1932 Goldfisher 189-62 3,120,035 2/ 1964 Morris 20-62 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A LOUVER STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PAIR OF SUPPORT MEMBERS, ONE OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS HAVING A PLURALITY OF APERTURES FORMED THEREIN, THE OTHER OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS HAVING A PLURALITY OF SLOTS FORMED THEREIN, A RETAINING MEMBER DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID OTHER SUPPORT MEMBER, SAID RETAINING MEMBER HAVING APERTURES FORMED THEREIN, A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED LOUVERS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID LOUVERS HAVING PIVOTING MEANS AT THE ONE ENDS OF SAID LOUVERS BEING RECEIVABLE IN SAID APERTURES IN SAID ONE SUPPORT MEMBER, SAID PIVOTING MEANS AT THE OTHER ENDS OF SAID LOUVERS BEING RECEIVABLE IN SALT SLOTS IN SAID OTHER SUPPORT MEMBER AND IN SAID APERTURES IN SAID RETAINING MEMBER, AND SAID RETAINING MEMBER BEING MOVABLE AWAY FROM SAID OTHER SUPPORT MEMBER FOR DISENGAGING AT LEAST ONE OF THE APERTURES THEREIN FROM THE ADJACENT PIVOTING MEANS WHEREBY THE LATTER MAY BE WITHDRAWN THROUGH SAID SLOT IN SAID OTHER SUPPORT MEMBER SO AS TO PERMIT REMOVAL OF THE ASSOCIATED LOUVER FROM ITS MOUNTED POSITION BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS. 